WEBVTT
DEVELOPMENT.
VICKI: SQUAW VALLEY, AND THE
ICONIC SCENERY SURROUNDING LAKE
TAHOE, IS ENTERING A NEW CHAPTER
.
PLACER COUNTY APPROVING A $1
BILLION EXPANSION TO THE RESORT
TO MOVE FORWARD, DESPITE HOURS
OF EMOTIONAL PUBLIC COMMENT
AGAINST THE PROJECT.
THE ONLY NAY VOTE COMING FROM
THE SUPERVISOR REPRESENTING
OLYMPIC VALLEY RESIDENTS.
>> THE BIGGEST ISSUE FOR ME, AND
WHAT I HEARD FROM MOST PEOPL
WAS THE CONCERN ABOUT THE LENGTH
OF TIME.
VICKI: OVER THE COURSE OF 30
YEARS, THE ASPHALT LOT,
INCLUDING BUILDINGS FROM THE
1960 WINTER OLYMPICS, WILL MAKE
WAY FOR HUNDREDS OF UNITS
LODGING AND A MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE
CAMP PROMISING HUNDREDS OF NEW
JOBS, AND MILLIONS IN TAX
REVENU
>> TO TAKE A LOOK AT AN 82-ACRE
SEA OF ASPHALT, I THINK MANY
PEOPLE WOULD AGREE THERE'S NOT
VERY MUCH INSPIRING ABOUT THAT.
VICKI: DAX WILLARD IS BORN AND
RAISED IN TAHOE CITY, OWNER OF A
FAMILY-OWNED SKI SHOP UP THE
STREET FROM SQUAW VALLEY.
>> IT'S KIND OF A LOVE-HATE
SITUATION FOR ME.
I AM VERY NERVOUS ABOUT THE
GROWTH.
>> I AM PARTICULARLY CONCERNED
ABOUT NIGHT-LIGHTING AND LOSS OF
OUR STARRY SKIES.
VICKI: THE DENVER-BASED OWNE
WILL ALSO DEVELOP TOWNHOMES
ALONG SHIRLEY CANYON.
>> WHICH IS A MAGICAL PLACE.
IT'S BEEN A SPECIAL PLACE FOR ME
IN MY WHOLE LIFE
VICKI: FEARFUL PUBLIC ACCESS
WOULD BE CHOKED OFF.
>> WE WOULD NEVER CORDON OFF
SHIRLEY CANYON
IT IS EVERYBODY'S CANYON.
VICKI: ULTIMATELY, THE BENEFIT
OF KEEPING UP WITH YEAR-ROUND
COMPETITION OUTWEIGHS THE
CONCERN OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS
>> I HAVE SEEN HOW VILLAGES CA
BE SUPER FUN AND VIBRANT, AND
BRING A LOT OF ENERGY TO THE
AREA.
VICKI: WITH THE HOPE CHANGE TO A
VALLEY LOVED BY LOCALS AND
TOURISTS ALIKE COMES WITH THE
UTMOST RESPECT.
>> THERE IS A PROCESS.
NOT EVERYONE IS A WINNER AT THE
END OF THE PROCESS.

“I spent 5 years honestly trying to craft as good of a project I could possibly bring to our board of supervisors,” Montgomery said. “The outcome didn’t surprise me, the emotion didn’t surprise me. I understand that this is a very close to the heart issue for many people.”

The development transforms nearly 100 existing acres -- a majority currently an asphalt parking lot-- into more than 800 rooms for hotels, condominiums and town homes.

“To take a look at an 82-acre sea of asphalt, I think many people would agree there’s not very much inspiring about that,” Wirth said.

Buildings from the 1960 Winter Olympics will be removed, making way for a Mountain Adventure Center that could include a bowling alley, rock climbing, simulated skydiving, movie theater and aquatic center.

“I have seen how villages can be super fun, and vibrant, and bring a lot of energy to the area," Willard said. "So, I see how they would like to grow and develop a village in Squaw Valley. I just don’t like how much they want to see it grow. I think it’s overdoing it.”

The remaining parking lot will become stacked in levels, and a separate location will include employee housing.

A portion of the construction will build town homes near Shirley Canyon. Resident’s fear the cherished trailheads would be cut off from the public.

“It’s been a special place for me in my whole life,” said Willard. “We have had many, many great experiences in that valley.”

Wirth said construction includes restoring the trailhead for visitors, and improving it with a public parking lot.

“We would never cordon off Shirley Canyon. It is everybody’s canyon,” Wirth explained. “We’ve never once even contemplated blocking off Shirley Canyon for just private homeowners.”

Squaw Creek, which was channelized in the 1950s, is also planned to be restored.

Montgomery said her biggest concern was the length of time for the project -- on and off construction spanning up to 30 years.

“My perception was a smaller project could be achieved in a shorter time frame, would have been acceptable to the community,” she said. “We weren’t able to get there and that’s part of the democratic process.”

Residents also worry about the environmental impacts of the long-term project -- from pollution, to Lake Tahoe’s water clarity, and traffic along the narrow highway.

The threat of a litigation against the county’s decision will focus on an Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

“It’s a very good EIR. It identifies the impacts,” Montgomery said. “Yes, there are significant impacts, but the community or public benefits outweigh those. I wasn’t there. Neither was my community.”

Regardless, she believes the project will ultimately move forward.

“They have every right to litigate on this. Frankly, I don’t think they are going to be successful. I do think we have a pretty solid EIR,” Montgomery said. “While I have sympathy for their position, I am not sure litigation is going to get them what they are hoping for.”

Montgomery adds all stages of construction need to go through the Planning Commission for approval — including public comment.

“I will continue to do what I did do, which is try to make it a better project,” she said. “There is a process. Not everyone is a winner at the end of the process. But, certainly people should not perceive themselves as losers.”